Chapter 535
Chapter 535
Chapter 535. Let’s Establish a Martial Arts Academy (1)
It has been a long time since I came to the imperial palace.
Almost two months, perhaps.
I left for the Northern Sea Ice Palace around mid-March, and now it is already early May.
I really spent this spring running around without a moment’s rest too.
I followed Master Jinyoung into the imperial palace and arrived at the Emperor’s office.
A moment later.
“Please enter.” (Eunuch)
“Yes.” (MC)
I entered the office and performed the highest form of courtesy.
“Raise your head.” (Emperor)
“Your Imperial grace is boundless.” (MC)
I raised my head and looked at the Emperor.
“Where did you go last time that you were absent for so long?” (Emperor)
It was a little awkward to explain in detail, so I cautiously asked in an attempt to change the subject.
“Did you miss me?” (MC)
“I did.” (Emperor)
“…….” (MC)
No, it was a joke, but if you say that, does it not make me embarrassed?
“There is much that must be done, but there are not that many useful fellows, so I thought of you.” (Emperor)
So you mean you were disappointed that you could not work me to the bone.
It was worth running away in the middle of the night.
If I had not hurriedly departed as Miss Seohyang said, I might have been caught by the Emperor and unable to go to the Iceflame Talks.
No, I probably would have found some way to go.
But it was obvious that the process would have been extremely difficult.
“I see.” (MC)
“Yes. Leaving that aside, I received a report that you wiped out an infamous band of pirates called the Blood Claw Group in Nanjing this time. What happened?” (Emperor)
He wants to hear the details from my perspective.
I explained the whole story to the Emperor.
“……That is how it happened.” (MC)
I continued.
“It was bad enough that they laid hands on goods our Eunhae Trading Company had worked hard to prepare, but they also dared obstruct Your Majesty’s will. They deserved to be punished, so I did so.” (MC)
“Well done.” (Emperor)
The Emperor nodded and praised me.
“Those who gnaw away at the Empire’s interests deserve to be punished.” (Emperor)
“Your Majesty, through this incident, there is one thing I have thought of.” (MC)
“What is it?” (Emperor)
“The importance of training capable military officers.” (MC)
“Are you saying that the Empire’s current military officers lack ability?” (Emperor)
I need to answer this well.
“Of course, the abilities of the Empire’s current military officers are very commendable. However, Your Majesty, the significance of a martial arts academy lies in investment for the future.” (MC)
“Investment for the future?” (Emperor)
“Yes. At times like this, there is something we merchants say.” (MC)
I grinned and said,
“You are not going to do business for only a day or two and then quit, are you?” (MC)
At my words, the Emperor burst into laughter.
“Hahahaha! That is right! That is right!” (Emperor)
Then he looked at me and continued.
“You bastard, you still run your mouth well.” (Emperor)
“I will take that as praise.” (MC)
“The Empire’s future will be bright only if excellent pillars who will lead the Empire continue to be produced.” (Emperor)
Done!
I clenched the hand hidden inside my sleeve.
“For that, I need Your Majesty’s help.” (MC)
“My help?” (Emperor)
“When it comes to cultivating future talents, is not the teacher the most important thing above all else?” (MC)
“That is true.” (Emperor)
“Therefore, I would like Your Majesty to issue an imperial decree so that we may invite good teachers from various murim sects and martial families.” (MC)
No matter how stiff-necked the sects and martial families of murim might be, they have no choice but to bow low before the Emperor’s command.
Unless they want to be marked and ruined for no reason.
After looking at me for a while, the Emperor spoke.
“So, what is the true meaning behind this matter?” (Emperor)
“Pardon?” (MC)
“The you I know is a fellow who would never do anything that brings him a loss. If you are willingly taking on such a troublesome task, it means there is something you are after.” (Emperor)
Cold sweat ran down my back.
Did he perhaps realize my intention?
“Is it money?” (Emperor)
“……!” (MC)
I flinched, then lowered my head just as I was.
The other party is His Majesty the Emperor.
Confessing honestly is the best option.
“Does it not cost quite a lot of money to establish a martial arts academy?” (MC)
“It does.” (Emperor)
“But those martial artists will become future talents of the Empire, so it is a little burdensome for our Eunhae Trading Company to bear all the costs.” (MC)
I continued.
“And yet, if the imperial palace takes full charge of managing it, the work will increase, and abuses will inevitably arise.” (MC)
“Tsk…….” (Emperor)
The sight of His Majesty the Emperor clicking his tongue.
There is no way he would not know.
That if the imperial palace took charge of managing a martial arts academy, it would degenerate into an institution where the children of high officials wasted time while consuming taxes, rather than fulfilling its role as a martial arts academy.
“There is already a similar example in the Haenghwa Academy, so I think it would be good to do it the same way.” (MC)
“That is not bad.” (Emperor)
“It is the result of my contemplation for the Empire and Your Majesty.” (MC)
“What falls to me is merely the crumbs, I suppose.” (Emperor)
“…….” (MC)
I discreetly watched the Emperor’s expression.
“Very well. Proceed as you have said.” (Emperor)
“Your Imperial grace is boundless.” (MC)
Just then, the eunuch’s voice came from outside.
“The Minister of War seeks an audience.” (Eunuch)
At that, the Emperor said,
“He is finally here. Tell him to enter.” (Emperor)
At those words, I realized that what was about to begin was the real reason the Emperor had summoned me.
The Minister of War entered and paid his respects to the Emperor.
“Raise your head.” (Emperor)
“Your Imperial grace is boundless.” (Minister of War)
“I have called Young Master Eun Seoho of the Eunhae Trading Company here, so say what you wished to say.” (Emperor)
“Yes.” (Minister of War)
He cleared his throat, then turned his head and spoke to me.
“I heard about your exploits this time. They say you swept away a vicious group of pirates called the Blood Claw Group?” (Minister of War)
“Yes. That is so.” (MC)
“You have done something truly admirable.” (Minister of War)
“You praise me too highly.” (MC)
“However, I heard that those who shot arrows played a large role when you swept away the pirates this time.” (Minister of War)
“Do you mean the Eun Wind Bow Unit?” (MC)
Only then did I guess what he wanted to say.
“Yes, they call it the Eun Wind Bow Unit, I believe. Their martial strength is enough to sink pirates’ ships in one blow. I am concerned that warriors of that level might perhaps be used for evil purposes.” (Minister of War)
“By evil purposes, do you perhaps mean something like aiming them at His Majesty the Emperor?” (MC)
At my words, he became indignant.
“How could you make such a dangerous remark!” (Minister of War)
“I apologize if it sounded that way, but I am not good at talking in circles. And……” (MC)
I glanced at the Emperor and said,
“His Majesty seems bored.” (MC)
At that, the Minister of War looked up at the Emperor and flinched.
“Minister of War.” (Emperor)
“Yes, Your Majesty.” (Minister of War)
“My time is precious. But it seems your time is not precious. Or else you are capable enough that you can afford to waste time, yet you have been hiding that capability.” (Emperor)
“Hup! N, no, Your Majesty!” (Minister of War)
“Speak only of the main point.” (Emperor)
“Yes! Your Majesty.” (Minister of War)
He looked at me with a tense expression and said,
“Ahem, I want you to hand over that bow unit to the imperial palace.” (Minister of War)
Wow…… so it really was that?
Does he have no conscience?
I held back the incredulous laugh that was about to come out and opened my mouth.
“I understand well what concerns you, Lord Minister of War. First, even though I knew I would cause concern, the reason I showed that power was to remove those obstructing His Majesty the Emperor’s path.” (MC)
“I, is that so?” (Minister of War)
“It saddens me that such an intention does not seem to have been conveyed properly.” (MC)
“……Ahem.” (Minister of War)
“And I ask just in case, but is it perhaps because you covet the bow unit?” (MC)
“Wh, what are you saying! Absolutely not. I only said it because it seemed dangerous for a trading company to operate such a bow unit privately.” (Minister of War)
“I see. I fully understand that feeling.” (MC)
I continued.
“Our Eunhae Trading Company can offer the bow unit to the imperial palace. Since the archers would also become part of the imperial palace rather than the trading company, how could they not be pleased? Ah, then would they become imperial troops?” (MC)
“…….” (Minister of War)
At my words, the Minister of War blinked.
He cannot answer immediately.
“If not, are you simply asking for them as disposable pieces to be used and thrown away? They, too, are subjects of the Empire, yet you would think to use and discard them in such a way!” (MC)
I knelt on the spot and bowed to the Emperor.
“Your Majesty the Emperor! This must not be allowed. Please look into this matter with compassion!” (MC)
The Emperor, who had been silently listening to the conversation between me and the Minister of War, opened his mouth.
“They, too, are my precious subjects. As their father, how could I do such a thing? Rise.” (Emperor)
“Your Imperial grace is boundless.” (MC)
“And Minister of War.” (Emperor)
“Yes, Your Majesty.” (Minister of War)
“If they come to belong to the imperial palace, they are imperial troops. Why were you unable to answer something so obvious?” (Emperor)
Because, of course, he probably had not thought that far and had simply blurted it out according to his greed.
The Minister of War barely managed to answer, stammering.
“They, they are indeed imperial troops.” (Minister of War)
“And Lord Minister of War. I spent quite a large sum training them. I do not think you would simply take them away without compensating even that cost. That is not proper business ethics.” (MC)
“Y, yes. Ahem. How much did it cost to train them?” (Minister of War)
“One hundred and twenty taels of silver per person.” (MC)
“Huk!” (Minister of War)
At my words, he was startled.
“Wh, what nonsense! No matter how elite they are, how could it cost that much money to train soldiers! Did you perhaps inflate the amount to deceive me?” (Minister of War)
I calmly shook my head and said,
“That is absolutely not the case. First, because they were meant to deal with pirates, we built several ships to use for training, and their equipment as well……” (MC)
As I recited the costs and procedures one after another, the Minister of War’s face began to turn pale.
“Even this is only the minimum cost I have calculated because this is the imperial palace.” (MC)
“I, I see.” (Minister of War)
“And because they are not ordinary warriors but people trained solely for a special purpose, their monthly salary is also quite substantial. Five taels of silver per person. I believe they should receive at least that much. So, Lord Minister of War, can you guarantee their monthly salary?” (MC)
“…….” (Minister of War)
The Minister of War looked quite hard-pressed.
“Even while bearing all those costs, I trained an archer unit solely to carry out His Majesty the Emperor’s command to ensure the success of the trade.” (MC)
I continued.
“I did the work the Ministry of War should have done on its behalf, yet rather than providing support for it, you are telling me to hand them over.” (MC)
“…….” (Minister of War)
Then the Emperor intervened.
“Minister of War. Are you telling me that you asked to meet Young Master Eun without any countermeasures prepared?” (Emperor)
“Yo, Your Majesty…… That is.” (Minister of War)
The Minister of War could not finish his words and hesitated.
He probably looked down on me because he was the head of the Ministry of War, while I was merely the young master of a trading company.
Moreover, since this was before His Majesty the Emperor, he must have thought I would not dare make a sound and would hand over the bow unit.
If the Minister of War had come firmly prepared, it would have been rather difficult, but fortunately, because the other party underestimated me, I was able to easily gain the upper hand.
“Minister of War.” (Emperor)
“Yes, Your Majesty.” (Minister of War)
“I am beginning to wonder whether I should continue to leave you as the head of the Ministry of War.” (Emperor)
“Huk!” (Minister of War)
He was horrified and flattened himself on the floor.
“I, I apologize! This lowly subject has shown an unsightly display!” (Minister of War)
“At least you know that much.” (Emperor)
“…….” (Minister of War)
“They say a lion does its utmost even to catch a single rabbit. And yet I see no such preparation from you. No doubt you intended to borrow my authority and press him down.” (Emperor)
“…….” (Minister of War)
Seeing that he cannot speak, the Emperor hit the nail on the head.
“Young Master Eun Seoho here already knew what I was worried about and proposed the establishment of a martial arts academy to me. He plans to teach archery there as well.” (Emperor)
Uh……
I had not thought that far.
“Is that not so?” (Emperor)
“Ah, yes. That is so.” (MC)
I was caught up in the Emperor’s pace. Tch!
“How admirable is that?” (Emperor)
“…….” (Minister of War)
“Therefore, in my name, I intend to permit the Eunhae Trading Company to operate the bow unit. Do you have anything more to say?” (Emperor)
“N, no.” (Minister of War)
“Then you may leave.” (Emperor)
And so the Minister of War left the Emperor’s office looking like a puppy drenched in rain.
The Emperor gave a faint laugh and turned his head to me.
“As expected, you handle it well.” (Emperor)
“You could have given me a word in advance.” (MC)
“Would anything have changed, then?” (Emperor)
“…….” (MC)
No.
“And if it were you, I thought you would have guessed.” (Emperor)
Well, that is true.
“Still, to think a fellow like that is the Minister of War…… Hmph!” (Emperor)
The Emperor clicked his tongue as if dissatisfied.
“In any case, as I said earlier, I will grant permission regarding the bow unit.” (Emperor)
“Your Imperial grace is boundless.” (MC)
“In return, destroy pirates on sight and make trade with foreign countries safe.” (Emperor)
“I shall do so.” (MC)
“Then withdraw.” (Emperor)
“Yes.” (MC)
I withdrew from the Emperor’s office.
I really cannot let my guard down even a little before the Emperor.
So much so that even I, who usually do not sweat easily, broke out in a cold sweat.
Somehow, I ended up being caught up in the Emperor’s pace, and now the martial arts academy will be teaching archery as well.
Just then, Master Jinyoung approached me.
“Is the audience over?” (Jinyoung)
“Ah, yes.” (MC)
“The Minister of War left with a face like a gloomy puppy.” (Jinyoung)
Come to think of it, I heard the Ministry of War and the Royal Guards are subtly on bad terms.
Are the Royal Guards not selected from the Ministry of War?
Well, they must have their own circumstances.
“It seems I have earned the Minister of War’s dislike.” (MC)
“You need not worry about that.” (Jinyoung)
Master Jinyoung gave a faint laugh.
“Who would dare lay a hand on you? And if need be, just report him outright.” (Jinyoung)
“Pardon?” (MC)
“That official post you have exists for times like that.” (Jinyoung)
Ah, right. I am an Investigating Censor.
Thank you for teaching me something useful, Master.
Master Jinyoung continued.
“Ah, and the criminals you took with you this time will have their labor site changed as you requested.” (Jinyoung)
“Thank you.” (MC)
Thanks to the former pirates this time, we learned that those who stole So Byeong-ju were the Blood Claw Group.
And we also obtained fairly important information.
As promised, I did reduce their labor period, but since they helped more than expected, I should repay them accordingly.
So I requested that their labor site be changed from a construction site to a place where the intensity of labor was lower.
Come to think of it, the black path energy I felt from the former pirates had grown much weaker recently.
Master once said,
Even if someone is an evildoer, if they change their heart, the energy of the black path fades.
However, he said that making the energy of the black path disappear completely requires considerable effort.
Now that I think about it, their energy started fading after I showed them a little of the Eun Wind Bow Unit’s skill.
But why?
Did they repent and turn over a new leaf?